🔬 New drug shows rapid skin control for dermatomyositis

Oral brepocitinib demonstrated rapid and sustained control over skin disease in dermatomyositis patients. This was shown in a phase 3 trial conducted between October 2022 and July 2025 across 90 sites in 20 countries. At week 52, 61.7% of patients on 30-mg brepocitinib achieved a meaningful response compared to 44.3% on placebo. The drug also helped patients taper off oral corticosteroids significantly more than the placebo group. These results suggest higher treatment goals are possible even with high baseline disease activity. 🔬

📱 iPhone 17 dominates Q2 sales, top 10 drive 26%

The iPhone 17 secured the title of world's best-selling smartphone in Q2 2026, capturing 6% of global unit sales. Apple and Samsung each took five spots in the top 10, which collectively accounted for 26% of global sales. This occurred as the overall market saw an 11% decline due to RAM shortages. iPhone sales grew 5% year-over-year, boosted by strong demand in India, Japan, and South Korea. Brands are now focusing on key models to navigate the challenging market conditions ahead. 📱

💰 Ravi Teja's Irumudi hits 100 Crore milestone

The film Irumudi has become a massive hit at the worldwide box office, crossing the 100 crore mark quickly. This achievement belongs to Ravi Teja in the film, which is being shown across Tollywood. As of day 5, the movie has grossed a total of 105.05 crore worldwide. It has now secured the 4th spot among Tollywood's highest-grossing films of 2026. The film might surpass The RajaSaab soon to claim the 3rd position. 🤩

💪 Creatine for women: myth busted 🏋️‍♀️

Creatine helps muscles produce energy efficiently during intense short efforts, debunking the myth that it causes bulkiness for women. Research shows women have lower baseline stores, meaning supplementation offers proportionally large benefits. The recommended dosage remains 3-5g of creatine monohydrate daily, not a reduced women's version. Benefits include strength gains, improved cognitive function, and supporting bone health during perimenopause. Consistency with resistance training alongside creatine leads to better body composition over time.

🎬 Hanuman Ansh hits big on Day 19

Vishal Chaturvedi’s devotional drama, Hanuman Ansh, has become a box office success story. The film, starring Chandan Anand and Shobhinav Satyaa, saw a massive 274% jump on its third discounted Tuesday. On day 19, it collected an estimated 4.67 crore, marking its highest single day since its release on August 7, 2026. The movie has now grossed 10.60 crore net in India, recovering its 10 crore budget. This performance secures a 6% ROI for the production.

🔥 Ravi Teja's Irumudi hits big at the box office

The film Irumudi has achieved a clean hit verdict at the Indian box office after a superb Tuesday showing. It is starring Ravi Teja and is trending strongly across India. The movie has earned a total of 75.05 crore net in five days, with 12.2 crore collected on Day 5. This makes it the fourth Tollywood film in 2026 to reach this milestone. The film is expected to enter the 100 crore net club within the next 2 to 3 days.

🔬 Long-course CRT better than short-course RT for rectal cancer

A phase 2/3 trial compared long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) against short-course radiotherapy (RT) for rectal cancer organ preservation. This study, conducted across 37 sites in Europe, involved 503 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma < 40 mm. At 12 months, TME-free survival was 78.5% for CRT versus 60.6% for short-course RT. The difference was mainly due to a higher clinical complete response rate seen with CRT. Researchers stressed the need for longer follow-up to confirm these early positive findings. 🔬

🥗 Med diet vs calorie restriction for weight loss

A 24-month study compared a Mediterranean-style diet program against a commercial calorie-restricting weight-loss program in North Carolina. Both groups, involving 360 obese participants, lost roughly 3.5% of their body weight by the 24-month mark. However, the Mediterranean-style group showed significantly better improvements in diet quality from the start. The researchers suggest this behavioral intervention is good for modest weight loss goals without medication. 🍎

🎶 Young musicians perform for VP and Governor

Prize-winning flautist Chiranthan Venkataraman and vainika S. Ajitesh performed at Lok Bhavan last week. They played before Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The musicians won second prize in The Hindu Margazhi Music Competition in their respective categories. The gurus invited them to encourage young instrumentalists during the event. They were surprised to learn the performance was for dignitaries, playing songs like Mooladhara Moorthe. 🎶

⛽ LPG e-KYC deadline approaching, consumers rush to agencies

As the August 31 deadline for e-KYC approaches, many consumers are queuing at gas agencies to complete their required biometrics. Some users faced issues linking their Aadhaar with the 14-digit LPG IDs, which is the initial step of the process. A super senior citizen noted problems with agency support and incorrect LPG IDs on receipts. Other consumers struggled because their Aadhaar remained linked to their previous agency after moving locations. Distributors are currently helping families with deceased connections and noted app downtime this week. 😥

🔬 Polio Emergency Committee meets

The forty-fifth meeting of the Polio IHR Emergency Committee was held on August 25, 2026. This meeting took place as part of the ongoing global effort against polio. Key discussions covered the latest surveillance data and vaccination progress across affected zones. The committee reviewed the strategic roadmap to achieve polio eradication targets. Next steps involve enhanced monitoring and targeted intervention campaigns. 🔬